Smallhead clover is a native annual herbaceous plant found in western North America from Canada to Baja. It grows up to 1 foot tall and wide, with typical clover foliage that is light green and covered in soft, silvery hairs. Its small, pale pink or lavender flowers bloom from April to August in small clusters, and are pretty up close with a light fragrance. Smallhead clover is often used as an annual groundcover on hills and slopes, and provides excellent pollinator habitat by attracting native bees and butterflies. It requires full sun to light shade and well-drained soil with good moisture during its growing season.

1. Smallhead Clover – Trifolium microcephalum
(tri-FO-lee-um my-kro-sef-AY-lum)
Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Native to: Much of western N. America from Canada to Baja; open grassy places, moist meadows,
sandy river banks and drier hillsides to about 7500 ft. elevation.
herbaceous annual
mature height: 1 ft. mature width: 1 ft.
Smaller annual clover with typical sprawling/mounded foliage. Leaves light green, typical for
clovers. Foliage covered with soft, silvery hairs.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms in spring or summer (Apr-Aug). Flowers are small, pale pink/lavender
typical of clovers, in small (< 1 inch) clumps. Pretty flowers up close; light fragrance.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Most often used as an annual groundcover on hills, slopes or in orchards. Nice
addition to natural meadows/prairies or native ‘lawns’. Pretty in pots and planters, where the small
flowers and delicate fragrance can be appreciated. Young foliage can be boiled & eaten. Like all
clovers, plants improve usable soil nitrogen.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native clovers.
Attracts: Excellent pollinator habitat: attracts native bees, butterflies, others. Birds eat seeds.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to light shade.
Any well drained soil; any local pH
Needs good soil moisture during growth season (winter through spring); decrease
water substantially after flowering to promote good reseeding.
None needed; likes nutrient-poor soils.
Management:
Fairly easy to grow. Leave roots in ground after harvesting to improve soil nitrogen.
Propagation: from seed: soak seeds in hot water for 12 hours; plant winter through early spring in
prepared soil.
Rake in lightly.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 10, 16
1/23/08
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